Beijing [China], Sept. 17 (ANI): The Chinese media has said that Japan's presence in the South China Sea by conducting "joint training cruises with the U.S. Navy and bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional navies" veils other motives than freedom of navigation.

In a commentary, Chinese State owned news agency Xinhua said, "As keeping maritime order in the South China Sea is a shared duty of the region's coastal states, the huge interest an outsider like Japan has shown in following in the footsteps of the United States can hardly be justified."

"Whether Japan is truly seeking regional peace and security or just fishing in the troubled waters by increasing military presence in the South China Sea is not a hard question to answer," it added.

Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada said in a speech on Thursday said that Japan will expand its presence in the South China Sea by conducting "joint training cruises with the U.S. Navy and bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional navies."

The commentary further said that Japan is in dispute with China over the Diaoyu Island in the East China Sea and that is where it's true and major purpose lies, as revealed in the very same speech Inada made.

Apparently, Japan is simply using the South China Sea issue to secure more bargaining chips at its own negotiating table, rather than pursue regional peace and stability.

"On this issue, Japan has left no stone unturned in stirring up the waters to cause tensions, with, for instance, its recent plan to cheaply sell arms to India in return for the latter's voice against China," said the commentary.

It added that Japan's attempt to amend its post-war constitution, increasing its military engagement in the South China Sea also serves as an exchange for Washington's support for Tokyo. (ANI)